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Erastus Sabinus Prosser (September 2, 1809 – May 11, 1888) was an American politician from New York.

Early life

Prosser was born on September 2, 1809, in the area which was separated as the Town of Westerlo, Albany County, New York in 1815. His father was a physician with a country practice.

At an early age he removed to Albany, New York, and served as a clerk in the forwarding house of Dows & Cary there.

Career

In 1845, Prosser moved to Buffalo, New York, and continued his business there until about 1858 when he retired. He remained involved in canal matters, including the Erie Canal, throughout his life.

Prosser entered politics as a Democrat, but his "Anti-slavery proclivities led him into the support of Mr. Van Buren for the Presidency" and he joined the Free Soil Party in 1848, and the Republican Party upon its foundation in 1855. He was a member of the New York State Senate (31st D.) from 1859 to 1861, sitting in the 82nd, 83rd and 84th New York State Legislatures.

He was a delegate to the New York State Constitutional Convention of 1867 to 1868.

Personal life

Senator Prosser is rather prepossessing in his personal appearance, being about medium in height, with an active frame, sharp, grey eyes, and a bushy, iron-grey beard; and wears a cheerful good-natured, though dignified and somewhat reserved expression upon his countenance which, at once, gives assurance of the real man.

Prosser was married three times and in 1877 was sued by Anna A. Hickey, a woman who claimed he proposed but refused to marry her. In 1834, he married Lucy Wilbur, and they had four children, including:

• Henry Wilbur Prosser, who married Anna Fay.
• Ms. Prosser, who married John Armstrong of New York.
• Harriet Prosser (1836–1909), who married to Chief Judge William C. Ruger.
• Anna Weed Prosser (1846–1902), who did not marry but adopted three children; she was involved in the Divine Healing Movement of the late 1800s with Carrie Judd Montgomery.

After the death of his first wife, he married Kate Muldary, a native of Brooklyn, New York. They lived at 786 Delaware Avenue in Buffalo. In 1880, Kate committed suicide by jumping from the roof of a five-story tenement at 430 East 14th Street in New York City. He married, thirdly, to Mary A. Finnegan of Buffalo.

Prosser died in Buffalo on May 11, 1888. He was buried at the Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo.

Descendants

Through his son Henry, he was a grandfather of the banker and philanthropist Seward Prosser (1871–1942), who served as the head of Bankers Trust.

References

1. Doherty, Frank J. (1990). Settlers of the Beekman Patent, Dutchess County, New York: Paine to Rogers. F.J. Doherty. pp. 655, 1145. ISBN 978-0-9828991-1-3. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
2. ^ "Obituary -- Death of the Hon. Erastus S. Prosser". Buffalo Weekly Express. 17 May 1888. p. 6. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
3. ^ Biographical Sketches of the State Officers and Members of the Legislature of the State of New York in 1859. J. Munsell. 1859. p. 85ff. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
4. Hough, Franklin Benjamin; Hutchins, Stephen C.; Werner, Edgar Albert (1867). The New-York Civil List, Containing the Names and Origin of the Civil Divisions, and the Names and Dates of Election Or Appointment of the Principal State and County Officers. p. 442. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
5. Chester, Alden; Williams, Edwin Melvin (2005). Courts and Lawyers of New York: A History, 1609-1925. The Lawbook Exchange, Ltd. p. 698. ISBN 978-1-58477-424-2. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
6. "SHE WANTS $20,000. That's the Sum which Anna A. Hickey Demands from Erastus S. Prosser of Delaware Ave. "For Impairing Her Health, Shocking Her Nervous System and Refusing to Marry Her." The Complaint and Answer Which Form the Basis for the Big Trial that will Commence To-morrow". The Buffalo Sunday Morning News. 28 January 1877. p. 1. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
7. Scannell, John James; Sackett, William Edgar (1919). Scannell's New Jersey's First Citizens: Biographies and Portraits of the Notable Living Men and Women of New Jersey, with Informing Glimpses Into the State's History and Affairs. J.J. Scannell. p. 375. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
8. Bruce, Dwight Hall (1896). Onondaga's Centennial: Gleanings of a Century. Boston History Company. p. 183. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
9. ^ "MISS PROSSER DEAD; WELL-KNOWN MISSIONARY. Gave Up Her Fortune to Found Missionary Training School". The Buffalo Enquirer. 22 December 1902. p. 12. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
10. Willard, Frances Elizabeth; Livermore, Mary Ashton (1897). American Women: Ives-Zeisler (p. 413-812). Mast, Crowell & Kirkpatrick. p. 590. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
11. "AN INSANE WOMAN'S SUICIDE". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. 14 May 1880. p. 3. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
12. "SUICIDE OF A BUFFALO LADY". Buffalo Morning Express and Illustrated Buffalo Express. 15 May 1880. p. 4. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
13. "Hon. Erastus Prosser Dead". Democrat and Chronicle. 12 May 1888. p. 1. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
14. "SEWARD PROSSER, FINANCIER, 71, DIES; Board Chairman of Bankers Trust Company Since 1923 Stricken in Massachusetts LEADER IN CITY WELFARE Raised $40,000,000 for Red Cross in 1918, $8,000,000 for Relief in Fall of 1930" (PDF). The New York Times. 3 October 1942. Retrieved 27 September 2019.

External links

• Erastus S. Prosser at Find a Grave
• His house (demolished 1911)

• 1809 births
• 1888 deaths
• New York (state) state senators
• Politicians from Buffalo, New York
• Politicians from Albany, New York
• New York (state) Republicans
• Burials at Forest Lawn Cemetery (Buffalo)
• New York (state) Democrats
• New York (state) Free Soilers
• People from Westerlo, New York
• 19th-century members of the New York State Legislature